Thus the disgrace might never be known. But his conscience
bade him tell Grey the truth, and ask him to find Bessie on shipboard,
and do what he could to lighten the dreariness of her situation. Why he
did not do this Neil could not tell, and when the opportunity was passed
he cursed himself for a miserable coward, and actually put his head from
the window to bid the cabman turn back and overtake the carriage they
had met.
"Ten chances to one if I find him now. I'll write and confess the whole
thing," he finally decided, and so went back to the hotel, where he
passed a miserable three hours, until it was time to dress for the
dinner at the house where his mother was visiting.
It was quite a large dinner-party, consisting mostly of matrons and
elderly men, so that Neil's presence was hailed with delight, and he was
the center of attraction for at least four young ladies, among whom
Blanche was conspicuous. But Neil had no heart for anything, and seemed
so silent and absent-minded that his mother whispered to him in an
aside:
"What ails you, Neil? Surely you are not fretting after that girl?"
She knew Bessie was to sail that afternoon, and that Neil was to see her
off, but she was not prepared for the white face which he turned to her,
or the bitter tones in which he said:
"Yes, I am fretting for that girl, as you call her.
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